Winter had come to Tadcaster as the players emerged for this second round of the League Cup. Temperatures may have been low but otherwise conditions were perfect with the pitch in first class condition.

The Brewers were sitting in second place in the league and had beaten the visitors three nil earlier in the season. Newly promoted Horbury were at the bottom of the league and had not won away from home this season. Nevertheless, anybody who thought that this match was a breeze in the park was in for a shock!

In the first minute of play Horbury could well have taken the lead after a fast move along the right side ended with Luke Playford heading over from the six-yard box. It took five minutes before Tadcaster found their feet with Oli Norman on a trademark run down the left flank but the shot was no problem for keeper Hagreen.

The visitors kept up the early pressure as Whittaker cleared the bar whilst Albion had another attempt at goal from Aaron Pilkington. On eight minutes Smith had another chance for Horbury from ten yards, but it was wide of the post.
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The Brewers had two free kicks in quick succession as Norman and Green were both clattered whilst Miguel Cassama was second to a loose ball in the box. On 20 minutes a “one - two” involving Cassama and Norman resulted in an easy clearance when the ball was driven into the box as Tadcaster fought their way into the game.

At the mid stage of the first half Aaron Pilkington launched a near perfect cross into the area but there was nobody in the six yard box to take advantage. At the other end, shot stopper Alfie Scales punched away Whittaker’s high cross with both hands but a slip from Playford who seized the opportunity eased the tension.

On the half hour Norman’s eighteen yarder skimmed over the crossbar just before another chance for the home side ended with a bone crushing collision between Cassama and Hagreen from which both players thankfully emerged without injury.

As half time approached Horbury continued to harass the Albion defence and they were close to scoring after Tadcaster failed to clear a corner which bobbed around the six-yard box until Scales managed to get a hand on the ball. Nathan Heaton’s interception almost immediately stopped a dangerous ball into the area whilst Skipper, Charlie Owen, had a chance but the shot lacked power.

Goalless at half time was a welcome break for Tadcaster against the visitors who had edged the opening forty-five.

Again, Horbury made a positive start as play recommenced with Callum Hudson putting in a vital block right at the start before an early save from Scales. That said on fifty-one minutes Oliver Green used all his strength and speed down the left side but Cassama’s shot cleared the bar - Tadcaster’s best effort thus far! Bojang was denied by another well timed interception from again Heaton.

As the hour approached Horbury made a quadruple change to be followed shortly afterwards by Andrew Shepherd replacing Metcalfe and then Charlie Thompson and Alex Clarke coming on for Norman and Billet. On sixty minutes Des Okoro replaced Cassama and finally Fatlum Ibrahimi took over from Clarke-Thompson with a quarter hour left on the clock.

On seventy-one minutes a free kick fell to Owen in the box but his stylish header was off target, Hudson then produced a pin point cross into the box but to no avail. Two minutes later Thompson crossed from a short corner only for Green to be upended by Armitage who was duly yellow carded. Pilkington’s free kick was easily cleared.

With twelve minutes to go Thompson’s shot resulted in a good save from Hagreen and as Taddy came back, a defence splitter, again from the substitute, looked to be on its way but was tipped over once more by the Horbury keeper as it flew towards the top corner.

As the prospect of a shoot-out became a real possibility Shepherd was so close as his header was cleared off the line but after five minutes added time, the teams squared up for penalties.

Horbury missed the first penalty whilst Fatlam Ibrahimi, Andrew Shepherd, Aaron Pilkington and Nathan Heaton all scored for Tadcaster. Victory was just a breath away but Alex Clarke went wide and then, with the shot needed to keep the Brewers in the game, so did Oliver Green .

Alas Horbury went through 5 – 4. A Nail Biter from Start to Finish_

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match chosen by Credit Industry Services goes to Nathan Heaton

Tadcaster’s next game is this coming Friday (17th October) away to Redcar Town in the Second Round of the FA Vase. Redcar are currently top of the table in The Northern League Division 2 with a six point advantage over second placed Yarm and Eaglescliffe. They have amassed 42 points from eighteen games so far this season. The match kicks off at 7.45 pm

Scales, Pilkington, Norman (Thompson), Heaton, Hudson, Billet (Clark), Owen ©, Metcalfe (Shepherd), Cassama (Okoro), Green, Clarke-Thompson (Ibrahimi)

Report from John Clothier - Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley